Photos
The temperature is expected to reach the upper 80s on Sunday; the record for Sept. 11 in Olympia is 87 degrees, set in 2007. Warmer days later in the season bring noticeably lower temperatures at night – the result of the ever-shortening days, National Weather Service meteorologist Art Gaebel said.
“Enjoy the summer while you can until the clouds and rain come back,” he said.
And it’s likely the Pacific Northwest will see more precipitation than normal when La Nina makes its second appearance in as many years. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center issued a La Nina warning Thursday, saying the weather phenomenon has re-emerged in the tropical Pacific Ocean and that it will strengthen and continue through the winter.
A La Nina winter here is more likely to be wetter than normal in the late fall and early winter and colder than normal.
For now, the warm, unstable air increases the risk of wildfires, and red-flag warnings likely will continue through the weekend. Warnings were in effect for east and west portions of the Olympics and the extreme south Washington Cascades, according to the Weather Service.
Several wildfires are burning statewide, including one that has forced people to leave their homes.
The wildfire in Olympic National Forest has grown to 614 acres, according to a news release from incident commander Doug Johnson. The combined conditions of inaccessibility, steep terrain, rolling debris and falling trees make fighting the fire too risky, Johnson said in the release.
Near Goldendale, nine homes and 10 outbuildings have been destroyed in a forest and brush fire that continues to grow in the Satus Pass area. About 150 homes have been evacuated in the fire, which some estimates place as large as 2,100 acres.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nate Hulings: 360-754-5476
nhulings@theolympian.com
www.theolympian.com/outsideoly
